At least 538 people have lost their lives in traffic accidents across Karachi in the first seven months of 2025, with heavy vehicles responsible for a significant share of the fatalities, official data shows.
According to latest figures, traffic accidents involving trucks claimed 60 lives, trailers 48, water tankers 44, buses 25, dumpers 22, minibuses 11, coaches and oil tankers six each, pickups 15, jeeps five, motorcycle rickshaws 12, and cars 58. Motorcycles were involved in accidents that left 88 people dead, while unidentified vehicles accounted for 103 fatalities.
The victims included 274 motorcyclists, 179 pedestrians, 51 women, and 68 children.
District-wise, Malir recorded the highest number of deaths (174), followed by West and Keamari (136), Central (75), East (52), Korangi (52), South (44), and City (3).
The latest tragedy occurred on Rashid Minhas Road near Lucky One Mall, where a speeding dumper rammed into a motorcycle, killing 22-year-old Mahnoor and her 14-year-old brother Ali Raza. Their father sustained serious injuries and is under treatment.
The incident sparked unrest, with an angry mob torching seven dumper trucks and assaulting the driver involved, who was later handed over to police. SSP Central said the driver had been taken into custody, while over 10 people were detained for the violence.
Rescue 1122 confirmed the blaze had been extinguished and cooling operations completed. Karachi Traffic Police reported that both tracks of the Al-Asif–Hyderabad route were closed for hours, with traffic diverted via Total Petrol Pump.
In retaliation, the Dumper Drivers Association blocked the Super Highway near Sohrab Goth and threatened to extend the protest to the National Highway.
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori expressed sorrow over the siblings’ deaths, called for strict action against those responsible, and urged citizens to refrain from taking the law into their own hands.